Selective relay



Jan. 7, 1941. DEWITT R. GODDARD 2,227,328

SELECT IVE RELAY Filed Sept. 21, 1958 2 SheetsSheet 1 POSITION 2g POSl T/ON 3 P05/T/0/V r 3 P0./S/7'/0/V4 INVEN TOR. DEW/ TT R GODDA RD Bf W ATTORNEY.

Jan. 7, 1941. DEWITT R. GODDARD' 2,227,328

SELECTIVE RELAY Filed Sept. 21, 1958' 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 r ll l u w Iv: LJ l 29 27 l /3 i D l IZ 8a 7 I 8 i L fi 6 II III I II 7 6 u a 1 m In 14 .5 4/

INVENTOR. DEW/7'7 R. GODDARD V ATTORNEY.

Patented Jan. 7, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,227,828 SELECTIVE RELAY of Delaware Application Scptember 21,,193 8, Serial No. 230,995

'9 Claims.

This invention relates to anew and improved selective mechanical relay.

An object of this invention is to simplify and improve mechanical relays generally.

Another object of this invention is to provide a single relay which will select any one of three circuits. I

Still another object of this invention is to provide a balanced type of relay comprising relatively simple moving parts.

A feature of this invention is the novel arrangement whereby four relay positions are accomplished by two pivot members, one at right angles to the other. For certain purposes it is sometimes desirable to have a single relay which will select any one of three circuits, in other words, a relay which is equivalent to a single-pole, triple-throw switch. The relay Of y inventionwill accomplish this triple circuit switching and furthermore it is arranged so that only one circuit will be connected at a time. A relay device of this nature proves to be very useful in the selection of the best signal from a three-set diversity radio receiver system, althoughits application is not limited to circuits involving radio receivers.

This invention will best be understood by referring to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. lis a simple mechanical diagram of the improved relay of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the selective mechanical relay;

Fig. 3isa, side elevation of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an end elevation of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 5 is an end elevation of Fig. 2, showing another modification of this invention.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, Fig. 1

indicates in simple diagram the arrangement of this device which comprises a movable armature I which is arranged to constitute a movable contact. Arrows 2, 3 and 4 are the three stationary contacts. The triangular blocks 5, 6 and I are representative of adjustable stops.

In the operation of this relay, if armature I r is pivoted at 8 so that it moves substantially vertical in the plane of the paper and also is pivoted about a bearing 9 so as topartially rotate, electromagnets (not shown in this figure) are placed adjacent contacts 2, 3 and 4 so that if an electromagnet corresponding to contact 3 be energized, the armature will then be drawn upagainst contact 3. Stops 5 and I are placed so as to not prevent the making of this contact. Stop 6 is located in such a fashion that armature I cannot touch both contacts 2 and 4 at the same time. If an electro-magnet corresponding in position to contact 2 be energized, the left-hand portion of armature I will be drawn against contact 2; the right-hand portion of armature I, due to the presence of stop 6, cannot touch contact 4 but will rotate slightly in a counter-clockwise direction. Also, while armature I is touching the contact 2 it cannot touch contact 3 at the same time for the reason that stop I will prevent it. If the electro-magnet corresponding in position to contact 4 be energized, the right-hand portion of armature I will be drawn against contact 4, the left-handportion of armature I, due to stop..6,

, willnot touch contact'2, but will rotate in aclockwise direction. Also, stop 5 will prevent contact with contact .3.

Figs. 2,, 3 and 4 show in more detail the me--. chanical arrangement which will impart. the neoessarymotion to the armature I and comprise'an insulating base, III to which two upright support.- ing members II and I2 are secured. In the central portion of the base, pivot 8 is secured in any suitable. manner, preferably to the ends ofupright I2. A vertical member I3 is secured to pivot,8- and held in position by screw 8a, the upper.

portion of which is provided with pivot 9 for armature I and secured by screw 9a. In vthecentral upper portion of member II there is located an electro-magnet I4 which is arranged to draw armature I to a position so as to make contact with contact 3, contact 3 being located just above magnet I4 and insulated from the metallic frame II by an insulating bushing I5. Electrical circuit connections are made to contact 3 by means of a plurality of nuts I6 and washers I1. Directly opposite magnet I4, but on the other side of armature I, there is located an adjustable stop member 5 which is in the form of a threaded stud, threaded in the member I2, and is provided with a lock nut I8. On each side of support member Hand in the same line as armature I, there is located electro-magnets 20 and 2I. Each side of electro-magnets 20 and 2| are located contact members 2 and 4 which are insulated from the metallic structure by means of an insulating bushing 22 and 23. Directly opposite contacts 2 and 4 but on the other side of armature I, are

located adjiustable stops 5 and I which are threaded into members I I and provided with lock nuts 24'and 25. In order to keep armature -I in a balanced neutral position, four light spring members 26, 21, 23 and 29 are secured to T-shaped member I3 and members II and I2, it being preferable to provide these spring members with suitable tension means at the ends to where they are supported with members II and I2. To provide a wiping contact, member I has mounted thereon spring contact members 2a, 3a and 4a.

The modification shown in Fig. 5 is generally similar to that of Fig. 4, except for the omission of member I3, springs 26, 21, 28 and 29, and pivot 8 and in their place is substituted a relatively wide flat flexible upright spring member 30 which is secured to the central portion of member I2 by any suitable means, such as for example rivets 3|. The operation of this modification is similar to that described in connection with Fig. 1.

Although only two forms of this invention are shown, it is to be distinctly understood that this improved type of relay is capable of taking other forms and therefore should not be limited to the precise arrangement shown in the drawings.

What is claimed is: 1. A relay device comprising a single armature having at least two pivot points, means for pcsitioning said armature to make contact to connect to any one of three desired circuits at a different time, a separate fixed contact and an electro-magnet for each one of the circuit positions assumed by said armature when an electro-magnet of a desired circuit position is energized, two of said magnets located on one side and at each end of said armature, the other magnet located on the other side and in the center of said armature, and a plurality of spring tension means and a plurality of stop members to position said armature in any desired position.

2. A sensitive single armature electro-magnetic switch comprising a single movable armature having at least tWo pivot points, said armature having four circuit positions, a plurality of spring elements for maintaining said armature in a first position of no circuit contact connection, a first electro-magnet for maintaining said armature in a second position with contact means for a first circuit connection, a second electromagnet for maintaining said armature in a third position with contact means for a second circuit connection, and a third electro-magnet for maintaining said armature in a fourth position with contact means for a third circuit connection.

3. A sensitive single armature electro-magnetic switch comprising a single movable armature having at least two pivot points, said armature having four circuit positions, a plurality of spring elements for maintaining said armature in a first position of no circuit contact connection, a first electro-magnet for maintaining said armature in a second position with contact means for a first circuit connection, a second electromagnet for maintaining said armature in a third position with contact means for a second circuit connection, and a third electro-magnet for maintaining said armature in a fourth position with contact means for a third circuit connection, said spring elements located each side of said armature to retain it in a neutral position when the first, second and third electro-magnets are not energized.

4. An electro-magnetic switch comprising an armature having two pivot points, one of said pivot points being arranged in the central portion of said armature, the other pivot being located below said armature and at right angles from said first mentioned pivot, a separate spring tension means for retaining said armature in a neutral position, contact means secured to said armature, a first electro-magnet for moving said armature to a second position parallel to said neutral position, a second electro-magnet for moving said armature to a third position which is at an angle from said neutral position, a third electro-magnet for moving said armature to a fourth position which is at an angle opposite from that of said third position, and fixed contact means adjacent said first, second and third electro-magnets for making connection to the contacts on said armature.

5. A triple-throw electro-magnetic switch comprising a single armature, means for positioning said armature to make contact to connect any one of three desired circuits at a different time, a movable contact on said armature, an electromagnet for each of the circuit positions assumed by said armature when an electro-magnet of a desired circuit position is energized, two of said magnets located on one side of said armature, the other magnet located on the other side of said armature, a fixed contact located adjacent each magnet for making contact to any one of the three desired circuit connections by contacting the movable contacts on said armature, and a stop member located on the opposite side or said armature and opposite each electro-magnet to insure the proper position of the armature to make the desired circuit contact.

6. A triple-throw electro-magnetic switch comprising a single armature, means for positioning said armature to make contact to connect any one of three desired circuits at a different time, a separate movable contact on said armature, a magnet for each of the throw positions assumed by said armature when a magnet of a desired circuit is energized, two of said magnets located on one side of said armature, the other magnet located on the other side of said armature, a fixed contact means located adjacent each magnet for making contact to any one of the three desired circuit connections, and an adjustable stop member located on the opposite side of said armature and opposite each magnet to adjust and insure the proper position of said armature to make the desired contact.

7. A sensitive single armature electro-mechanical relay having four circuit positions, one of which is a neutral position and the other three being circuit contact positions comprising a base member, two support members extending upward from said base, a single armature pivotally supported to said base, said armature serving as a movable contact member, a separate fixed contact and a magnet for one of the three circuit connections assumed by said armature secured by one of said support members, two separate fixed contacts and two separate magnets for each of the other two throw positions of said relay supported by the other one of said support members.

8. A sensitive single armature electro-mechanical relay having four circuit positions comprising a base member, two support members extending upward from said base, a single armature forming a movable contact member supported by a fiat spring-like member secured to the central portion of said base, three electro-magnets, at least one of said support members supporting one of said magnets and a separate fixed contact, the other one of said support members supporting the other two magnets and two fixed contacts.

9. A sensitive electro-mechanical relay comprising a central armature, a first pivot member secured to the center of said armature, a second pivot member for said armature, said second pivot being located below said armature and in a position at right angles to the position of said first mentioned pivot member, a separate contact and a magnet for each circuit position assumed by" said armature when a magnet for a desired circuit position is energized.

DE WI'IT RUGG GODDARD. 

